STAGE ACTIVITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

STAGE ACTIVITIES

HAMILTONIAN IN SYDNEY ICE SHOW RETURNING Hamiltonian in Sydney Keith Priscott, writing from Sydney this week, sends further good news of his progress in the musical world. He says: “I have had some good engagements. I may be broadcasting next month with a well-known trio, and may also be making a recording of patriotic songs. “I doubt if you would know my voice now. It is more powerful and I have added an extra tone to my range. “A noted violinist here, Francais Stempinsky (he has played in every country in the world and was the first white musician to play before the late Emperor of Japan), heard me sing the other day and was very encouraging. He said that the quality of my voice had a rare ‘ring' in it.

“I met Kenneth Neate, the young Sydney tenor, the other day (you know, the Singing Policeman). He has a beautiful voice and is quite young and good-looking. We sang a few bars of the duet for baritone and tenor from the opera. ‘Forza del Destino.’

“I was not struck particularly by •The Student Prince.’ The principals are weak vocally (husky, woolly tones). The best part is the chorus work, which just goes to show how important the chorus can be.

“I met Betty Welch the other night. She was just off to the Minerva (looking very charming, as usual), where they are having a goo\! season with ‘Room For Two.’ I met Charles Norman and we chatted about Hamilton. He especially wants to be remembered to you. He has now gone to Brisbane with “Charley’s Aunt” and “It’s a Girl.” “Gladys Moncrieff sings as beautifully as ever at the Tivoli, and has packed the theatre at every session. The Australians adore her ” Ice Show Returning to N.Z. The Ice Show, which broke all records in New Zealand some months ago, is to return shortly from Australia, where it has been doing big business. It will probably be followed by the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. now drawing large audiences in Melbourne. Soldiers’ Concert in Hamilton An entertainment that should draw a “full house” to the Hamilton Theatre Royal on Thursday. October 24, is being arranged by Mrs H. C Ross. Every item will be given by a so 1 - dier, and all the camps in the vicinity will be represented. Such a programme should be verv enjoyable.

The proceeds will help the Citizens’ Queen in the campaign that ig being held for the patriotic funds.

“Room For Two” in Sydney As might have been expected, the “room-for-two” in the play of that name, presented at the Minerva Theatre, is a bedroom, says the Sydney Sun. Most of the action takes place in the bedroom, where a lady with a philandering husband spends a night with another man. It is true that he sleeps on the couch, but before he succumbs to a sleeping draught there is a good deal of provocative chatter. This fcene is so delicately handled by Marjorie Gordon and Lloyd Lamble that it is robbed of any suggestion of coarseness. The dialogue is witty and sparkling, the situations provocatively intriguing, and the piece is entertaining all through.

Gerald Kirby, who also produced the play, was excellent as a boneheaded husband, and Mary Ward (a newcomer from England) made a successful debut as one of those broadminded wives you hear about. For acting and production, this is the best thing the Minerva has done.

“The Chocolate Soldier” Revived “The Chocolate Soldier,” the popular musical play, has been revived in London. Doris Francis and Bruce Carfax have the romantic leads. Sylvia Welling to Marry Sylvia Welling, who took the lead in “The Dubarry” and other musical plays in Australia and New Zealand some years ago. is engaged to marry Mr W. H. R. Youngman, who entered theatrical control at the Globe Theatre, London, some years ago. represented the American Schuberts for a time, and is now one of Mr Prince Littler’s managerial chiefs. Miss Welling has a long-term contract with the British Broadcasting Corporation.